20 best hotels for wine lovers

3. Palas Cerequio, Barolo, Italy
In the heart of Barolo country, Cerequio is part of an ancient village that has been lovingly restored to combine a nine-room hotel with world-class wine-tasting facilities and a cellar that holds a 6,000-bottle collection dating back to 1958. Each day there are tastings of five-year crus from Barolo, while the wine shop sells about 400 labels. Rooms are divided into past and future categories, offering either classic vintage charm or sleek, modern design.
Details: Doubles are from £150 B and B (00 39 0173 50657, palascerequio.com)

4. L’And Vineyards, Evora, Portugal
Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Alentejo, L’And shakes up the concept of a wine hotel, with angular, architect-designed buildings housing sleek minimalist spaces. Rooms are cool with chocolate and cream decor, the pool area feels straight out of Ibiza, and the spa — with plenty of grape-themed treatments — is state of the art. Wine-wise, the 66-acre estate began producing own label whites and reds in 2010, and tours and tastings are available at the winery.
Details Doubles are from £124 B and B (00 351 266 242 400, l-andvineyards.com)

5. Château de Bagnols, Beaujolais, France
If you’re after a hit of glorious opulence and giddy indulgence, de Bagnols will hit the spot – a spectacular 13th century château, complete with moat, drawbridge and fairytale towers. At the heart of Beaujolais country, the hotel is surrounded by working wineries, and the conçierge can organise escorted tours and tastings. The hotel’s wine list is said to be one of the best in the whole of France.
Details: Doubles are from £229 room-only (00 33 474 71 4000, chateaudebagnols.com)

6. Marqués de Riscal, Elciego, Spain
Spain’s best-known wine hotel, in no small part due to the sinuous Frank Gehry-designed building that houses the quirky bedrooms, which come with zig-zag windows and tilted walls. The world-class Rioja is produces is pretty impressive too; the ticketed tours (approx £9pp) include tastings of two wines, while dinner in the Michelin-starred Marqués de Riscal restaurant offers a chance to explore through the extensive wine list.
Details: Doubles are from £233 B and B (00 34 945 180 880, hotel-marquesderiscal.com)

7. Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux, France
One of the most prestigious wine resorts in the world, Caudalie is housed on the Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate, and offers tours through the vineyards on foot, bike or horse-drawn carriage, as well as two new interactive tours that give an insight into the work of the Chef de Culture and Maître de Chai (cellar master). The timber-framed hotel oozes French style, with La Grande Vigne restaurant housed in an 18th-century Orangerie and a Vinotherapie spa, that utilises the grapes and wine in its products.
Details: Doubles are from £165 room-only (00 33 5 57 83 83 83, www.sources-caudalie.com)

8. Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort, Maremma, Italy
The Maremma is the quietest corner of Tuscany, perfect for a contemplative few days over a bottle or three of San Bonifacio’s rich, delicious syrah. Rustic but stylish rooms are housed in the old farmhouse, with windows that look out over neat rows of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and syrah vines. It’s a working wine estate, meaning tastings, tours and time in the wine cave are all part of the stay.
Details Doubles are from £155 B and B (00 39 0566 80006, contidisanbonifacio.com)

9. Le Relais de Franc Mayne, Saint Émilion, France
There are just nine rooms in this elegant country house, usually snapped up fast by oenophiles who come to tour the cellars, taste the Saint Émilion wines and pick from the individually styled bedroom that range from vivid Indian colours to restrained British. There’s no restaurant, but lunches and dinners can be arranged and it’s very much worth it — home cooking of the highest French order.
Details: Doubles are from £158 (00 33 5 57 24 62 61, relaisfrancmayne.com)

10. Château Andre Ziltener, Burgundy, France
One of the most beautiful estates in Burgundy, the Château dates back to 1709, and now houses eight rooms and suites and two apartments, all furnished with elegant, French-country-house style furniture. The hotel’s bistro-style Bar a Vin is the place to try the dangerously moreish white or red burgundies, with platters of local cheeses to soak it all up.
Details: Doubles are from £198 B and B (00 33 380 62 41 62, www.chateau-ziltener.com)

11. Domaine Ployez Jacquemart, Reims, France
A gorgeous 19th-century mansion at the heart of a small champagne-producing estate, the Domaine now offers B and B with five elegant rooms furnished in period style, with views out over the vines. There’s an amazing wine cellar to be explored below the house, champagne dinners can be organised, along with tastings of the estates sparkling and still wines, and all the major champagne houses are within easy reach.
Details: Doubles are from £103 B and B (00 33 3 26 61 11 87, www.ployez-jacquemart.fr)

12. Château Meyre, Medoc, France
The ideal choice for lovers of Medoc, Meyre is a magnificent 19th-century château with nine comfortable rooms, surrounded by lush parkland, with an outdoor pool and tennis court. The vineyard has been in place for more than 300 years and now operates on a fully organic basis, and the hotel can organise two to four-day itineraries, visiting nearby wineries (from £71-£253 for two people).
Details Doubles are from £78 B and B (00 33 5 56 58 10 77, chateaumeyre.com)

LONG-HAUL

13. Babylonstoren, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Owned by the former editor of Elle Decoration SA, Babylonstoren oozes style, with accommodation in a row of 18th-century thatched cottages on the estate. Guests are encouraged to get involved with the garden and vineyards – pruning or harvesting, or taking tours with the gardeners. Wine tasting and cellar tours can be arranged, although the best way to try local vintages is over dinner at the hotel’s fabulous Babel restaurant.
Details: Doubles are from £270 B and B (0027 21 863 3852, babylonstoren.com)

14. Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, South Africa
A 300-year-old working wine estate, Lanzerac is a beautiful Dutch colonial mansion with 48 rooms, filled with antiques and each with a private patio. The expansive cellar offers a wide range of tastings, including pairings with chocolate and cheeses, and there’s a variety of eating options, including the new Lanzerac deli, offering locally made artisan breads, meats and cheeses. The spa keeps to the wine theme, using Theravine products.
Details Doubles are from £220 B and B (00 27 21 887 1132, lanzerac.co.za)

15. Balgownie Estate, Australia
In the heart of the Yarra Valley, Balgownie has been producing wines since 1969, and all guests are entitled to a free tasting, with more structured classes and courses available. Alongside the pleasures du vin, there are walking trails, an indoor pool and Natskin Spa, and the concierge can organise trips to surrounding wineries. Rooms are modern and pared-down, without being unnecessarily minimalist.
Details Doubles are from £185 B and B (00 61 3 9730 0700, balgownieestate.com.au)

16. Takatu Lodge and Vineyard, New Zealand
The contemporary-designed lodge at Takatu makes the most of the sunshine that floods across the vineyards, with glass walls and vaulted ceilings that create a sense of space and tranquillity. The vineyard runs on sustainable, organic principles and guests are welcome to explore and experience how the wine is produced, as well as taste the sumptuous Merlot and Malbec at a tasting session or on your private balcony as the sun sets.
Details Doubles are from £271 B and B (00 64 9 423 0299, takatulodge.co.nz)

17. Boschendal, Franschoek, South Africa
Founded in the late 17th century, Boschendal has a lovely sense of tradition, where the newly opened accommodation is in converted historic cottages, tucked among the vines and gardens. The vineyard produces renowned sparkling wines, chardonnays and merlots, and guests can join tastings, visit the cellars or experience the famed Boschendal Pique Nique a lazy, wine-fuelled al fresco lunch in the grounds.
Details Werf Cottages, sleeping two, is from £103 (00 27 21 870 4290, boschendal.com)

18 Auberge du Soleil, California, US
A hit of Provençal life surrounded by the vine-clad hills of the Napa Valley, the Auberge du Soleil was started 30 years ago and is one of California’s most beloved hotels. Rooms have a sunny Mediterranean feel with polished wood floors and Italian linens, and the Michelin-starred restaurant and less formal bar and bistro offer local organic produce teased into elegant French-style dishes, and the most comprehensive wine list in the valley.
Details Doubles are from £414 B and B; (00 1 707 963 1211, aubergedusoleil.com)

19. Empire Retreat, Margaret River, Australia
The emphasis is on “retreat” on this lovely, tucked-away estate that has more than a hint of Balinese style, with teak day-beds, marble mosaics and a wonderful “bush spa” offering eastern-style therapies, Pilates and yoga. Surrounded by the famous vineyards of the Margaret River region, including Voyager Estate and McCleod Creek, it has tranquil gardens. Guests can taste the wines with supper in the spectacular atrium-style dining room.
Details Doubles are from £156 B and B; (00 618 9755 2065, empireretreat.com)

20 Entre Cielos, Mendoza, Argentina
Famous for the Malbec grape, Entre Cielos produces three Marantal wines, with a terroir dating back 80 years. Rooms are classed in the same way as the wines — Young, Reserva and Gran Reserva, but all feel chic and contemporary, with blond wood, light colours and furniture in fresh greens and yellows. The wonderful hamam and spa includes wine-themed treatments, and classic Argentinian dishes are served up in the Katharina restaurant.
Details Doubles are from £357 B and B (00 54 261 498 3377, entrecielos.com)